Ethan Zohn Interviews 'Survivor' Host Jeff Probst

Ten years ago when I first met Jeff Probst, the host of Survivor, I was overly nervous and hopeful to get cast in this crazy adventure of a reality show. It was the second to last day of this exciting and intense (yet boring) week-long audition when I was escorted into a hotel room and placed on a simple folding chair. The room was full of important CBS executives that failed to make an impression. The only person I recognized was Jeff and he politely introduced himself and shook my hand.

He was the only person in the room who did that — and that had a positive effect on me.

They all took turns blasting me with useless questions like, "Would you hook up with an older woman? YES! "Are you a republican?" YES! "Are you from this planet?" NO. I was then asked to take off my shirt and do ten push-ups, which I gladly obliged (I actually busted out 14 just to make a point). I had no clue what I was doing or saying and just wanted to make a perfect first impression. It worked.

The next time I saw Jeff was in the middle of the Shaba National reserve in Kenya, Africa, for the start of this game that would forever change my life. But the brief event that cemented our friendship and proved to me that he was not just another Alex Trebec was when we shared an off-camera "moment" before a reward challenge.

As the monstrous camera crew was changing tape, Probst was passing the time by tossing a small rock in his hand. My competitive, tough guy, jock personality quickly surfaced and I quietly proposed a little side bet. "Hey Probst, I'll bet you a hundred bucks you cant throw that rock and hit the Acacia tree way over there." Without even missing a beat, Jeff switches off his hosting charm, acknowledges me with a nod, turns around and hurls the rock at the tree about 100 feet away.

Bullseye. He hit the damn tree and walked off like he had done it fifty times before. The best part about this whole story is the conclusion. Eighteen days later on the night before we were all shipped home to the US, I finally paid Jeff his bet in Kenyan shillings ... and he took the cash. It was at that moment I knew Jeff Probst was legit, because I would have done the same exact thing.

Despite his cool-cat nature, Jeff is a guy who is heartfelt and real. I admire that. He is incredibly fortunate to have experienced a lot of great things in his life. He has traveled the world, won an Emmy, has a great family, dined with famous musicians and achieved what most people would view as a high level of success. But he still makes the time to give back and use his fame to create change.

Through Survivor he has helped raise a staggering amount of money for a few different charities. In fact, we played together on the same Celebrity dodge ball team in a tournament for The Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Of course, Team Survivor took home the crown after destroying our prime time Must-See-TV rivals, the cast of Friends, in the championship match. The vision of Mathew Perry falling over backwards after getting bombarded in the head with Nerf dodge balls still makes me chuckle. Jeff even traveled all the way to Milwaukee, Wisc., to play in the Reality All-Star Soccer Festival to help raise money for my charity, Grassroot Soccer. And what's most interesting is that a few years ago, Jeff founded a very successful organization called The Serpentine Project.

The organization works with former foster care youth who are newly out of the system and out on their own. "It's a very critical time as they typically have no financial or emotional support from anyone," Probst tells me. "We mentor them, and help them determine what it is they want to achieve in life." Once they establish their dreams, The Serpentine Project helps them lay the groundwork to achieve these dreams and then supports them in whatever ways they need to succeed."

It's a big year for Jeff because he has a new show called Live For The Moment on CBS. (Live for the Moment tells the story of someone who has experienced a life-changing event that inspired them to change how they live their life. The show sends them on a series of adventures which offer major thrills and life lessons on how to live a bigger, better life.) Oh, and it just happens to be the 10-year anniversary of Survivor. Tonight is the premiere of Heroes vs. Villians, another all-star version of the show that marks its 20th season.

For so long I've been the one getting interviewed by Jeff, and now I finally have the opportunity to switch roles and throw a few questions his way. This is what went down.

Zohn: What have you learned from the people you have worked with on Live For The Moment?

Probst: My experience on Live For The Moment as well as my friendship with you and the late Jen Lyon has served to remind me that life is finite. It's so easy to forget that we will not live forever. It's so important to live full lives. To dream big and go after those dreams. To love, to play, to laugh, to work hard, to try your best to get the most out of every day. It's a cliché because it's so true.

What would your "mission" be if given the opportunity to fulfill one of your own dreams?

Well I think you probably have something smaller in mind, but my first reaction would be to try to find a way for us to all come to a global table and figure out a way to get along. War is so absolutely heart wrenching. On a smaller personal "bucket list" scale, I'd love to play catch with Derek Jeter in Yankee stadium. Come on how cool with that be! I also want to sing back up on stage with Dave Matthews. I'd pay good money to do that one!

You are able to give away a million bucks Survivor and make happiness real for others on LFTM, how does it feel to be the be the guy who can actually make people's dreams come true?

I appreciate the intention of your question but I have nothing to do with giving away the money on Survivor, so I don't relate in that sense. As for LFTM, it was a joy to be a part of helping fulfill dreams for someone so special. Ironically, I feel that I benefited much more than Roger (the show's first subject) did. We took him to watch a space shuttle launch, gave him a ride on a fighter jet and took him heli-skiing. In return, he taught me how to live a better life. I and anybody else who watched the show definitely came out on the better end of that stick.

Looking back over the 10 years of Survivor, what's your proudest moment?

Good question. There have many so many proud moments. Overall, I'm most proud of what we've accomplished in terms of telling great stories for 10 years. We set the bar high and we've done a good job of staying at that level season after season. I'm proud that we have built a show that parents can watch with their kids and both get something different out of the experience. I'm proud of how much I've grown as a result of Survivor. It really has influenced significant change in me as a person. Finally, I'm very excited that Survivor has paved the way for so many love affairs, like you and Jenna! That always makes me smile.

Who do you root for more, heroes or villains? And if you were to play the game, would you be a hero or villain?

Ah man, you had to ask. Well, the truth is that generally speaking villains are much more fun to watch! You my friend, while one of our most favorite and likable winners, were also one of the most boring guys to watch because you are so nice! Guys like Russell and Coach and Boston Rob are such big personalities that I really get a kick out of them. What makes heroes v villains exciting for me is to see them square off. The villains definitely have a chip on their shoulder because they think everybody loves the heroes and nobody loves them. By the way, had you been healthy you would have been one of the first choices for the hero tribe. Which brings up another question... who took your spot? I'm not answering that one! As for whether I'd be a hero or villain — guess it depends who you ask. If you ask my mom, I'm a definite hero. If you ask former Survivors, I'd probably be at the top of the list of villains.

Who are your heroes and who inspires you?

My dad. He is simply the most amazing man I know. Every woman who has been in my life has, at one time or another said, "If you turn out to be half the man your dad is, you'll be quite the catch." I'm still working on it. I am inspired by lots of people. Every day. People who make the world a more enjoyable place because of their attitude, people who give of their time or money to help those in need. Young people with big dreams. Older people who share their wisdom. I get inspired several times a day by people.

You've traveled the world, perhaps picked up trinkets and memories from everywhere ... aliens are about to abduct you and you can grab one item from your home, what would it be?

I'm in my living room as I am writing you and I'm looking around and I have to say most of the things I have collected are just that — things. But if I had to grab one I'd grab a crystal necklace someone gave me. It holds tremendous emotional value to me. Glad you asked that question. It was fun to think about what holds the most value.

Never letting a good opportunity go to waste...Jeff threw a question back at me.

Probst: To wrap this up, I have a question for you Ethan. What is one thing you have learned over the past year that you want to share with the world?

Zohn: If you want to know the definition of fulfillment — I say follow your heart, fight for a cause and see the hope that is born in another person's eyes because of something you were able to do for them. Making a difference for yourself by making a difference for others can help you grow and create change in the real world. What you do after the cameras stop rolling, when no one else is looking, that is what matters. How you take what is given to you and make a difference in the lives of other, that's what matters. Jenna, my family, friends, doctors they have made happiness real for me; I'm alive because of them, and I only hope I can return the favor.

Photos courtesy Ethan Zohn